Automatic stopping device



June 8, 1937. CARSON 2,083,314

AUTOMATIC STOPPING DEVICE Filed Dec. 12, 1931 2 Shee ts-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Ben amin RCarso'n,

BYJ nun HIS A TTORN June 8, 1937. B R CARSON 2,083,314

AUTOMATI C STOPPING DEVICE Filed Dec. 12, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I INVENTOR. Ben amm RCarson,

" ls ATTORNE Patented June 8, 1937 PATENT OFFICE.

I 2,083,314 AUTOMATIC STOPPING DEVICE Benjamin Richardson Carson, Collingswood, N. J., assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application December 12, 1931, Serial No. 580,650

12 Claims.

My invention relates to automatic stopping devices for talking machines or phonographs, and constitutes an improvement over prior art devices of the type exemplified by the patent to H. L. T. Buckle, No. 1,685,872, for Automatic brakes.

My invention relates particularly to automatic switches of the type embodying a control memher, and a detent member adapted to engage said control member to maintain it in a position to hold a pair of switches, one in a closed and the other in an open position, andto be released by a member moved by or in conjunction with a sound reproducing instrumentality to permit said control member to move to open the first of said switches and to close the other of said switches, and vice versa. 7

The principal object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for an electrically operated phonograph whereby the phonograph motor may be de-energized automatically and subsequently energized by the manual manipulation of a sound reproducing instrumentality.

A further object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for a phonograph whereby the phonograph may be automatically controlled by a sound reproducing instrumentality acting in conjunction with a sound record.

A further object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for a phonograph whereby the phonograph may be controlled by the manual manipulation of a sound reproducing instrumentality subsequent to a period of sound reproduction.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for an electrically operated phonograph whereby the circuit of a sound reproducing instrumentality is shorted simultaneously with the de-energization of the motor for operating the phonograph.

A further object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for an electrically operated phonograph wherebyan automatically shorted circuit of a sound reproducing instrufmentality may be automatically restored to normal condition simultaneously with the energization of the phonograph motor.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for phonographs which is 5;) simple in construction, substantially silent in operation, and highly efficient for the purpose for which it is designed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism of the character described 55 wherein a single switch control member may be moved to close one of a pair of switches to energize a turntable motor and to open the other of said switches to short circuit a sound reproducing instrumentality by manually moving said instrumentality to a position beyond the periph-- 5 cry of said turntable.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism forphonographs which is adapted to controba plurality of circuits and which is itself operable by or in conjunction with 10 the movement of a sound reproducing instrumentality either in the same direction of movement in which said instrumentality operates to reproduce sound or in a direction the reverse thereof.

A further object of my invention is to pro- 5 vide a control mechanism for phonographs wherein a member moved by or in conjunction with a sound reproducing instrumentality operates to trip a detent, upon a reverse movement of said instrumentality subsequent to a 20 period of sound reproduction, to release a control member whereby a motor control switch is opened and a control switch for a sound reproducing instrumentality is closed simultaneously.

Another object of my invention is to provide a 25 control mechanism for phonographs wherein a member moved by or in conjunction with a sound reproducing instrumentality operates to trip a detent member, upon a continued movement of a sound reproducing instrumentality in the same 30 direction in which it moves during a period of sound reproduction to a predetermined point adjacent the center of a record support, to release a control member whereby a motor controlling switch is opened and a control switch for a sound 35 reproducing instrumentality is closed simultaneously.

A further object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for phonographs wherein a member moved by or in conjunction with a 49 sound reproducing instrumentality operates a control member upon a reverse movement of said instrumentality subsequent to a. period of sound reproduction, to release said control member whereby a motor controlling switch is opened and 5 a control switch for a sound reproducing instrumentality is closed simultaneously, and which thereafter closes said motor controlling switch and opens the switch controlling said instrumentality, simultaneously, upon further move-yv 50 ment of said member in the same direction.

Another object of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for phonographs whereby a phonograph is adapted to be controlled by a sound reproducing instrumentality when operating in conjunction with a record of the type wherein the sound reproducing instrumentality is moved to a terminal position in the same direction of movement in which it operates during a period of sound reproduction or wherein said instrumentality is given a movement which is .the reverse of that in which it moves during a .perlod of sound reproduction at the end of a record.

0 A furtherobject of my invention is to provide a control mechanism for phonographs wherein the spring action of a pair of independently mounted switch elements is utilized to urge a control element therefor into a position for cooperation with a latch element whereby the said latch element is held in position for a subsequent releasing operation.

The novel features characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the' appended claims. The invention itself, however,

both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and adtantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my control mechanism in tripped, or ofi position after a period of sound reproduction;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of my control mechanism in restored or on" position after movement of the sound reproducing instrumentality substantially to the full extent of its movement beyond the periphery of the turntable, and with the said 35 instrumentality and the member moved thereby in dotted lines, illustrating the respective positions thereof after a period of sound reproduction immediately prior to the tripping of said mechanism; and r 0 Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view in perspective, illustrating the means utilized to trip myvimproved control mechanism by an automatic or manual movement of a sound reproducing instrumentality in the same direction in which it 45 moves duringa period of sound reproduction.

Referring to the drawings, my improved control mechanism comprises a two-armed detent member Ill mounted to rotateabout a pivot II a motor board (not shown) in a position under the turntable l3. An arcuate plate l4 having a series of teeth l5 formed in one edge thereof is 'adjustably secured on one end of the member In by means of slots l6 formed in the plate I4 and 55 screws H. A shouldered stud I 8, suitably threaded at its upper end, passes through one of the slots l6 in the plate I4 from the under side thereof and is secured to the plate l4 by means of a suitably threaded nut l8a so that'the stud -|8 will extend below the plane of the detent member III for a purpose hereinafter described. The other end of the detent member i0 is formed to provide a hooked end IQ for a purpose also hereinafter described.

, Formed on the detent member I0 intermediate the ends thereof are a pair of spaced projections or cam elements 26 and 2| which are adapted, 'upon movement of the detent member l0, to simultaneously open and close a pair of independ-v ent switches 22 and 23 secured to the base plate i2, in co-operative relation with respect to the cam elements 20 and 2l.- i

The switch 22 is connected in'a circuit leading to a motor (not shown) for starting and stopfixed on a base plate I 2, ordinarily secured to ping the turntable i3, and the switch 23 is connected in a pickup circuit for shorting a pickup 24 immediately. after a period of sound reproduction in response to either the automatic or manual operation of my improved control mechanism.

A substantially L-shaped latch member 26,

mounted to rotate about a pivot 21 on the base plate [2, is limited in its movement by means of a pair of spaced upstanding stop pins 28 and 29 carried by the base plate l2, one on each side of the latch member 26 at points substantially intermediate the ends thereof.

Formed on one edge of the latch member 26, at a point substantially opposite its pivotal point, is a projecting toe 30 which may engage the hooked end IQ of the detent member III for holding the member 26 in latched position against the influence of a spring 3| havingone end thereof attached to one end of the latch member 26 by means of an upstanding pin 32 thereon and its other end anchored to a similar pin 33 secured to the base plate l2. The spring 3| acts to urge the latch member 28 in a clockwise direction.

Adjacent the lower left hand corner of the latch member 26 (Figs. 1 and 2), a short upstanding pin 34 is secured thereto for abutting against the edge of the detent member l0 substantially simultaneously with the disengagement of the hooked'end l9 thereof from the toe 30 in response to the action of a tripping member hereinafter described. To effect quiet engagement of the detent member III with the pin 34, an annular cushion or damping member 35 of rubber, felt, leather or like material surrounds the upstanding portion of the pin 34 whereby a noisy metallic contact which would otherwise occur between the pin 34 and the edge of the detent member "I is prevented.

The other end 36 of the latch member 26 is provided with an upstanding pin 31, whereby the latch member 26 is'moved in a counter-clockwise direction by a two-part actuating lever 38 similar to that shown in the patent to Clark, No. 1,813,483, and which is pivotally mounted at 39 on the base plate I2, the actuating lever 38 being rotated about its pivot by a post 40 engaging therewith and depending from the supporting arm 4| for the sound reproducing instrumentality 24.

A rocking pawl 42 is pivoted at 43 on one limb of the actuating lever 38 and is rocked by the engagement of its knife edge 44 with the ratchet teeth IS. A depending pin 45, carried by the other end of the pawl 42, operates in a slot 46 formed in the actuating lever 38 adjacent the end on which the pawl is pivoted for limiting the swinging movement of the pawl. A spring 41, attached to a lug 48 formed on the pawl 42 and to a lug 49 formed on the actuating lever 38, operates to maintain the pawl in yielding engagement with the teeth i5 during the playing of a record. When the end of the record is reached, a reversal of the direction of movement of the arm 4! is effected in any suitable manner, such, for example, as by the engagement of the stylus carried by the pickup 24 in an eccentric terminal groove E and this is attended ter-clockwlse direction about its pivot II and its opposite end I9 is therebydisengaged from the latch member 26 whereby the latter is freed to rotate under the influence of the spring 3| to bring about the counter-clockwise movement of the detent member III to act on the switches 22 and 23.

In order to release the detent member ID for movement in a counter-clockwise direction by a continued movement of the actuating lever 38 in the same direction in which it moves during a period of sound reproduction from a record which is provided with a concentric rather than an eccentric terminal groove, an angularly extended cam arm 50, formed on that part of the lever 38 which carries the pawl 42, is adapted to engage with the depending portion of the stud l8 carried by the plate M as shown in Fig. 3. The camming action of the arm 50 against the stud I8 serves to move the detent member ID in a counter-clockwise direction to releasethe hooked end l9 thereof from engagement with the toe 30, whereby the switches 22 and 23 are operated in a manner similar to that in which they are operated by the above described reverse movement of the arm 4| and the tripping action of the pawl 42.

The actuating lever 38, which is controlled by the post 40 carried by the pickup supporting arm 4|, is also utilized to restore the detent member In and the latch member 26 to latched or on" position after a period of sound reproduction by a movement of the pickup arm 4| to a position beyond the periphery of the turntable, as shown in Fig. 2.

To this end, the limb 5| of the actuating lever 38, opposite the limb which carries the pawl 42, is utilized to impart a camming action to the latch member 26 by engaging the pin 31 carried thereby when the lever 38 is moved to substantially the full extent of its clockwise movement by the arm 4|. The pawl 42 is first moved clear of the plate l4 and the latch member 26 is subsequently moved counter-clockwise, against the action of the spring 3|, to permit the detent member In to move clockwise and its hooked end l9 into locking engagement with the toe 30 carried by the latch member 26. Since the spring blade elements 52 and 53 of the switches 22 and 23 exert a force sufl'lcient to urge the detent member In to move clockwise when released, no additional spring means is deemed necessary to perform this function, although additional means to assist or take the place of the spring blades 52 and 53may, obviously, be provided, if desired.

The operation of my improved control mechanism is as follows:

Referring to Fig. 1, where my improved control mechanism is shown in the off or tripped position after a period of sound reproduction, it will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art that the motor circuit control switch 22 has been opened to bring the turntable |3 to rest and that the pickup circuit control switch 23 has been closed to short circuit the pickup 24 by movement of the detent member ID from latched or on to uniatched or off position by means of the actuating lever 38 which is controlled by the movement of the arm 4| in a direction which is the reverse of that in which it moves during sound reproduction.

It will also be apparent that the latch member 26 has been moved to the limit of its clockwise movement by means of the spring 3| and that the cushioned pin 34 on' the latch member 26 is holding the detent member against the spring action of the switches 22 and 23.

In order to -place the machine in condition to reproduce a new record, the played record may be removed after the pickup 24 has been moved to a position just clear of the rim of the turntable l3 and another record deposited on the turntable. When another record has been subsequently deposited on the turntable, the pickup 24 is then moved farther away from the turntable to the limit of its movement, as shown in Fig. 2.

During this last movement of the pickup 24, the

element 5| carried by the actuating lever 38 cooperates with the pin 31 carried by the latch member 26 to move the member 26 in a counterclockwise direction, whereby the detent member ID is freed to move clockwise under the influence of the switch spring blades 52 and 53, and the hook end I9 and the toe 3B are engaged at substantially the limit of the outward movement of the pickup 24. V

With the detent member ID in latched or on" position, the switch 22 has been freed and moved into circuit closing position to start the motor (not shown) for driving the turntable, and the switch 23 opened simultaneously therewith, to restore the circuit for the pickup 24 to normal, operating condition.

The operation of my improved control mechanism so far described is dependent upon a reverse movement of the pickup supporting arm 4| after a period of sound reproduction and is obtained by the use of a sound record having an eccentric terminal groove such as disclosed in the patent to Squibb, No. 1,303,125.

My improved control mechanism not only functions to control a phonograph, when a record having an eccentric terminal groove is used, but also functions when records having other than eccentric terminal grooves are used.

Accordingly, when records having a terminal groove other than eccentric are used in connection with my invention, the pickup arm 4| is not given a reverse movement at the end of a period of sound reproduction, but continues into a rapid lead in" groove terminating in a concentric groove, for example, which is usually of a predetermined diameter, as is well known in the art. With records of this type, the arm 4| continues to move toward the center of the record after a period of sound reproduction, whereby the member 50, carried by the actuating lever 38, finally contacts with the depending portion of the stud l8 and exercises a cam action on the detent member If). This moves the detent member in a counterclockwise direction to an extent suficient to release the hooked end |9 of the member ID from the toe 30 on the latch member 26, whereby the switches 22 and 23 are operated in a manner identical withthat in which they are operated when .the arm 4| is given a reverse movement at the end of a period of sound reproduction to cause a pawl 42 to trip the detent member ID by means of the ratchet plate l4 carried thereby.

Although I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claimas my invention:

1. A control mechanism for phonographs comprising a rotatable detent member and arotatable latch member adapted to engage said detent member to hold it in the off position and to be moved to allow said detent member to move into the "on. position, a sound reproducing instru-' mentality, an-actuating lever controlled by said instrumentality and movable in one direction for releasing said detent member for movement into of! position, and'restoring means movable with said actuating lever and adapted to cooperate with said latch member whereby said detent member is freed to move to on position by a further operation of said instrumentality in the ment of said instrumentality in one direction,-

and means carried by said lever adapted to cooperate with said latchmember upon further movement of said instrumentality in the same direction whereby said detent member is restored to "on" position.

3. A control mechanism for phonographs coma I to inoperative position.

prising a rotatable detent member and a latch member adapted to cooperate with said detent member to latch itinfon position and to be moved to cause said detentmember to move into ofi position, a sound reproducing instrumentality, an actuating leveradapted to be moved by said instrumentality,- and means carried by said 1 lever adapted to cooperate withsaid latch member whereby manual operation of said instrumentality causes withdrawal of said detent member from said "off position, said last named means being so related to said latch member thatsaid latchmember reaches full on" position when said instrumentality has reached substantially the limit of its range of movement.

4. A control mechanism for electrically operated phonographs comprising a pivoted detent member and apivoted latch'member adapted in one position to maintain saidjdetent member in "oil!" position and adapted to be moved to another position to permit said detent member to move into on position, means carried by said latch member adapted to engage and move said detent member into 01f position when released, a sound reproducing instrumentality, an actuating lever adapted to be moved by said instrumentality,

circuit opening and closing means controlled by said detent member, cooperating-means carried by said detent member and said, lever whereby said detent member is released from said latch member upon a reverse movement of said instrumentality, and means for restoring said detent member to on" position up'ona continued moveated phonographs comprising a sound repro-.

V ment of said instrumentality in said'reverse direction.

5. A control mechanism for electrically operducing instrumentality including an actuating lever, a rotatabledetent member and a latch to the. other'oi said positions, a pair oi circuit controlling switches operated by said detent' member, and cooperating means carried by said detent member and said actuating lever whereby said detent member is moved into "0 position upon a reverse movement of said instrumentality subsequent to a period of sound reproduction, said first named means becoming effective to restore said detent member to on position when said latch member is moved to the other of said positions upon further movement of said instrumentality in said reverse direction.

6. A control mechanism for electrically operated phonographs comprising a soundreproducing instrumentality including an actuating lever, a .rotatable detent member and a latch member adapted, in oneof two positions, to maintain said detent member in off position, means tending \to move said detent member into on position when said latch member is moved to the other of said positions, a pair of circuit controlling switches operable simultaneously'by said detent member, and cooperating means carried by said detent member and said lever whereby said detent member is moved into ofi position upon a continued movement of said instrumentality inits normal direction of movement subsequent to. a period of sound reproduction, said first named means becoming effective to restore said detent member to on position when said latch memberis moved to the other of said positions by a reverse movement of said instrumentality "7. In mechanism of'the character described, a sound reproducing instrumentality, an actuating lever cooperating with said instrumentality and movable in response thereto, a pair of circuit controlling switch elements, a latch member, a

detent member adapted to be moved by said elements into a position for latching engagement with said latch member whereby said elements are free to spring into on position, means carried by said actuating lever for tripping said actuating lever-and said latch member whereby said latch member and detent member are restored to latched position upon continued movement of said instrumentality in said direction.

8. In an electric phonograph, a pick-up device,

a pivoted support therefor, a motor, a switch for controlling the output from the pick-up'device, a switch for the motor and means interconnected I with said pivoted support for .simultaneouslyflactuating both of said switches a plurality'bf times upon movement of said support'in a single direction. I p

9. A control mechanism for phonographs which includes a motor, said mechanism comprising a detent member mounted for movement into and out of motor operating positions, means adapted to move and retain said detent member out of motor operating position, means tending to urge said first-named means to move said detent member out cr -motor operating position, means on said detentmember Iorreleasably latching said first-namedmeans in a position to prevent said first-named means from moving in response to said second-named means, a 'sound reproducing instrumenta'l'ityand means associated with said "sound reproducing instrumentality and responsive to movementthereof in a predetermined direction for releasing said latching means from said first-named means whereby said secondnamed means is rendered free to exert its influence upon said first-named means to cause said latter means to move said detent member out of motor operating position.

10. In phonograph control mechanism, a pivoted detent member, means constantly urging said member into on position, a pivoted latch member adapted to latch said detent member in on position, means constantly urging said latch member in one direction, a sound reproducer support, means associated with said support and adapted to engage said latch member upon movement of said support in one direction whereby said latch member is moved in the opposite direction to permit said detent member to move into latched relation with said latch member, and means associated with said last-named means whereby when said support is moved in the opposite direction said detent member is unlatched from and moved by said latch member into ofi position. 1

11. A control mechanism for electric phonographs comprising a pivoted detent member,

means adapted to latch said detent member in one position, means tending to move said firstnamed means in one direction whereby to cause said detent member to move to another position, circuit controlling means tending to move said detent member into said first named position, a

reproducer supporting arm, means associated with said arm and adapted to engage said firstnamed means upon successive movement of said arm in one direction to move said first-named means to latched position whereby said detent member is simultaneously released for movement by said circuit controlling means into latched engagement with said first-named means, and means associated with said last-named means whereby when said arm is given a full movement in the opposite direction said detent member is unlatched from and moved by said first-named means against the action of said circuit controlling means.

12. A control mechanism for electrically operated phonographs comprising a sound reproducing instrumentality including an actuating lever, a rotatable detent member and a latch member adapted, in one of two positions, to maintain said detent member in off position, means tending to move said detent member into on position when said latch member is moved to the other of said positions, a circuit controlling switch operated by said detent member, and cooperating means carried by said detent member and said actuating lever whereby said detent member is moved into 01? position upon a reverse movement of said instrumentality subsequent to a period of sound reproduction, said first-named means becoming efiective to restore said detent member to on position when said latch member is moved to the other of said positions upon further movement of said instrumentality in said reverse direction.

BENJAMIN RICHARDSON CARSON. 

